Physics · Earth and space
Phases of the Moon
The Moon does not make its own light. Half of it is always lit by the Sun; how much of that half we see changes as the Moon goes around the Earth.
- Day of the cycle
- 0
- Phase
- New moon
- Part of the face lit
- 0%
Try this
- Play the month and name each phase as it appears.
- Where is the Moon when we see a full moon?
- Where is it at new moon?
Key ideas
- The Moon shines by reflecting sunlight.
- One cycle of phases takes about 29.5 days.
- Waxing: the lit part grows. Waning: it shrinks.